Thailand's breakthrough on refugee policy
Updated
More than 90 members of the Ahmadiya Muslim minority have been freed from a Thai immigration centre in Bangkok under a bail arrangement being described as a breakthrough.
Thailand doesn't have a national refugee law, so any foreigners who enter the country without proper documents are subject to arrest, prosecution, detention and deportation under immigration laws, even if they are registered with the UN as asylum-seekers or refugees.
The 96 Ahmadiyas released on Monday are form Pakistan, home to several million Ahmadiyas. The group was held for six months and include 34 children under the age of 12 and an infant born during its mother's detention. Their release came thanks to the backing of a new refugee fund to assist with bail payments and the cooperation of several Thai civil society groups.
Presenter: Ron Corben
Speakers: Anoop Sukumaran a coordinator with Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network; Kitty McKinsey, regional spokesperson for the UN High Commission for Refugees; Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, a British based spokesman for the Ahmadiya community; Dr Amara Pongsapich chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission
Thailand doesn't have a national refugee law, so any foreigners who enter the country without proper documents are subject to arrest, prosecution, detention and deportation under immigration laws, even if they are registered with the UN as asylum-seekers or refugees.
The 96 Ahmadiyas released on Monday are form Pakistan, home to several million Ahmadiyas. The group was held for six months and include 34 children under the age of 12 and an infant born during its mother's detention. Their release came thanks to the backing of a new refugee fund to assist with bail payments and the cooperation of several Thai civil society groups.
Presenter: Ron Corben
Speakers: Anoop Sukumaran a coordinator with Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network; Kitty McKinsey, regional spokesperson for the UN High Commission for Refugees; Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, a British based spokesman for the Ahmadiya community; Dr Amara Pongsapich chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission
LInk: :http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201106/s3237776.htm
